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II. GOVERNMENT IN UPPER & LOWER CANADA- CONSTITUTIONAL

ACT, 1791

Governor-British appointed Legislative Council- English-speaking

merchants & land owners; friends of Governor; appointed not elected; veto power

Legislative Assembly- voted by citizens- (male property owners) government was representative

Two political parties dominated: Family Compact- Wealthy British Tories

(conservatives) Reformers- Intellectuals & professionals

GOVERNMENT IN UPPER CANADA

Governor-British appointed Legislative Council- ALL English-speaking

merchants and seigneurs; friends of Governor; appointed not elected; veto power

Legislative Assembly voted by citizens- representative government

Two political parties dominated- Chateau Clique, Parti Canadien (Parti Patriote)

Chateau Clique- Wealthy British and French who supported British rule; true power brokers

Parti Canadien- Wealthy and poor French; early separatists; intellectuals & professionals; unhappy with source of power

GOVERNMENT IN LOWER CANADA

Government of Lower Canada Established by Constitutional act in 1791 Power limited by governors and councils Members of legislative councils were voted in for life English concerns were usually diff erent from French

concerns The group with the most power was Chateau Clique Believed that power should be in hands of a few capable

people Wanted the Roman Catholic church to stay power

GOVERNMENT OF UPPER & LOWER CANADA- SUMMARY

Government of Upper Canada In 1830 government remained the same as the

constitutional act in 1791 Two political groups the Tories and the Reformers Appointed Legislative council to Executive council Elected the Legislative Assembly The group with the most power was the Family Compact

GOVERNMENT OF UPPER & LOWER CANADA- SUMMARY

III. People, Way of Life, Concerns

PEOPLE OF LOWER CANADA?

Lower Canada• Population increased from: 250 000 in 1806 to 717 000 in 1841 (under 3x’s)•Very high birth rates among French speaking population•In addition British and American immigrants settled the eastern townships that had been set aside for English speaking farmers •Britain, British rule and traditions were a direct threat to their cultural existence

Habitant: (French) tenant farmer; rent land; poor Seigneur: (French) land owner; wealthy and powerful Merchant: (English) business owner; fur & timber

industry; wealthy and powerful Professionals: (French & English) doctors, lawyers, etc.;

middle class; seeking democracy

British merchants wanted to increase taxes for canals, harbors and roads for merchant use- few roads were built to help farmers

Increased immigration from Great Britain began to threaten French culture and language

1832, immigrant ship brought disease cholera, killed 5500

Legislative assembly(French-speaking) hard to make laws

1836- crops failed- Canadians face starvation 1837- economic depression- English merchants

blamed

CONCERNS IN LOWER CANADA

PEOPLE OF UPPER CANADA.

Upper Canada

• Before 1812 Loyalists- Pro British settled upper Canada • After 1812 a wave of settlers from great Great Britain

Great Migration took their place- from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England

• Brought virtues of limiting absolute power and importance of parliament democracy in making decisions

• Population increased from: 71 000 in 1806 to 432 000 in 1841 (almost 6x’s)

• Pioneer homestead start from scratch and forced native inland – new farms evolved

• Most inhabitants were subsistence farmers meaning they only farm for their family

• Main towns- Kingston & York-was renamed Toronto• Need for transportation – roads, canals

Responsible government was the major concern! Continued immigration to increase the English

presence in Canada New immigrants from Great Britain bringing values of

parliamentary democracy Reduction in the role of Church of England in taxes

and aff airs Reducing the power of values of traditionalism and

conservatism Stronger voice for Elected Assembly Reduce voice for the Family Compact No veto powers

CONCERNS IN UPPER CANADA